RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

And quite illegal for use on game in most states. Actually the steel core stuff would be less effective than a good expanding bullet.

RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

No way the 243 is alot more powerful

RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

for a secondary bear weapon i think the 7.62x39 would be fine as long as you got a SKS/AK ...something with a 10 or more round capacity but think it's pretty small caliber if used as a primary weapon.

if you're looking for defensive weapon i would use the .444 or .450 marlin lever action, they have good stopping power and are short and easy to handle while bow hunting.

RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

i would go with a 30-06 over the 308win just becuase they can handle heavier bullets better.
35rem works just as good. light kicker ammo is cheap and the lever actions out there ( used go for around $200.00 and up )

RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

WRONG!! When I was stationed in Alaska, two troops from Ft. Richardson took two M1 rifles and GI M2 Ball ammo out bear hunting on the Kenai Penisnula. They were later found mauled to death by a coastal brownie, which was aslo found dead not over 100 yards away. It had 16 wounds from the .30 cal bullets, 16 empty GI cases and two used M1 clips were found nearby too. Now, not all the shots hit vital spots, but the moral was clear! DON'T use pointed FMJ bullets on bears!!

RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

FMJs= very good penetration+ very little tissue damage.

A little anecdote:

Last fall I took a friend out shooting and let him shoot my M1 loaded with ball ammo. He shot at a pumpkin (uncarved) at 100 yards. I expected the pumpkin to explode when hit, but after 6 shots, the pumpkin did not move. We took a look at it, there were 6 bullet holes that went completely through the pumpkin- the holes were actually much smaller than the bullet diameter also. About the only use for non expanding bullets is Cape buffalo and Elephants, where smashing through skulls and massive bones and muscle is needed to hit a vital organ or brain.

RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

God, those guys must have been terrified seeing that their bullets weren't bringing down the big bear.[X(]

RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

"God, those guys must have been terrified seeing that their bullets weren't bringing down the big bear."

I suspect so! But not for very long! When I first heard this story, I didn't believe it, until I read the results of the Summary Court and Line of Duty investigations into the incident.:(

RE: 7.62x39 as bear rifle???
 

Hi high country ultra force,

If you are interested in more information concerning the 7.62X54R cartridge this site provides a little insight:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/30Russian.htm

Hope this helps!

Dave